ANDOVER Lions got back to winning ways after their cup loss against Paulsgrove with an impressive 2-1 away victory against Four Marks.

The Lions, who currently sit five points clear at the top of Hampshire League Division One, took a second half lead through a brace from Tommy Stringer.

However the home side gave the Lions a slight scare, snatching a goal late on to ensure a nervous finale.

The Lions were the first to carve out an opportunity through Zac Neve, with the winger forcing an excellent save from Brock in the home goal.

Four Marks hit back and forced an equally strong save from Lions’ goalkeeper Zac Tolfrey, who retained the number one jersey with regular keeper Dan Magee unavailable.

Despite chances for both teams, neither side could break the deadlock before the break.

Lions had the perfect start to the second half when Shane Lock laid the ball off to Stringer in the box.

The midfielder was brought down for a penalty, which, after picking himself up, he calmly slotted away to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.

Lions doubled their lead shortly after when a Darren Paris free kick put through Stringer, who skilfully lobbed the onrushing keeper for his second of the match.

Four Marks went on the attack with the game becoming end-to-end as chances went begging for both sides.

Joe Wright was forced into making a superb last-ditch challenge to deny Four Marks their first of the afternoon while the home side also hit the post on two separate occasions.

Four Marks finally breached the Lions defence when striker Steve Brown tapped in from a goal mouth scramble.

However Andover held out for the remaining minutes to maintain their five point lead over Hayling and open up a 12-point gap between them and the rest of the chasing pack.

Club secretary Chris Paris, said: “I think that this is our best result of the season so far.

“Four Marks are a strong team and Steve Brown is as good a striker as you will see at this level.

“He’s scored 23 goals already this season and the back four did very well to keep him at bay right up to the last minutes.

“Tommy Stringer will take the plaudits with his two goals but this was about the whole team today and they all stuck at it and ground out a result.”

On Tuesday night Andover Lions progressed into the second round of the Andover Open Cup with a 2-1 win over QK Southampton.

Goals from Jazz Beavis and Dean Smith put Andover through after The Lions conceded and early penalty that was despatched by Kevin Betlem.

Dan Magee made three fantastic saves in the second half to keep the Lions’ advantage.